1/4. Hyperhomocysteinaemia and upper extremity deep venous thrombosis: a case report.A case is presented of a 24 yr old military aircrew applicant who developed a right axillary subclavian deep venous thrombosis following physical exertion. Investigations revealed damage to the right axillary subclavian venous system and limitation to flow. Coagulation studies also showed an elevated plasma homocysteine level. hyperhomocysteinemia has recently been recognized as a risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease. Damage caused by the thrombosis, the hyperhomocysteinemia and environmental factors encountered in flight, may predispose him to recurrent episodes of thrombosis. This complex case involves aspects of hematology and the nature of coagulation which are only just being elucidated and as yet are poorly understood, and highlights some serious aeromedical implications for pilots afflicted with these conditions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. hyperhomocysteinemia masquerading as pulmonary embolism.We describe a 30-year-old male who presented with acute onset of breathlessness, tachycardia, and palpitations associated with distension of jugular vein and clear lungs on physical examination. The chest X-ray was normal and ECG was showing S1Q3T3 and right ventricular strain pattern. His 2-D echocardiography was showing dilated right atrium, right ventricular dilatation and moderate pulmonary arterial hypertension. He was found to have thrombosis involving left side of deep venous system with normal superficial venous system (Doppler proved). All routine blood investigations for etiology of recurrent DVT were normal except serum homocyteine level, which was significantly raised. Megaloblastic anemia on peripheral smear and hyperhomocysteinemia prompted us to search for its cause, which was subsequently found to be vitamin B12 deficiency. Such an association of megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency leading to hyperhomocysteinemia and subsequent thrombosis in left venous system presenting as acute pulmonary embolism has not been described earlier in the medical literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 11.267197003234keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Transient osteoporosis associated with hyperhomocystinemia: a possible role for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Transient osteoporosis of the hip is considered by some to be an early stage of avascular necrosis. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy, which may be of benefit in the treatment of avascular necrosis, might therefore be used in the treatment of transient osteoporosis of the hip. We present a case of transient osteoporosis associated with elevated levels of homocysteine in a 33-year-old white male, who was treated by HBO2. Treatment was administered at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes once daily, five days per week. Regular follow-up examinations in the course of the HBO2 therapy revealed improvement in the patient's complaints and the findings of the physical examination. Repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed after 40 and 90 sessions showed decreased edema and complete resolution of the edema, respectively. Evaluation 6 months after the completion of treatment revealed complete resolution of symptoms, with a normal physical examination.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 22.534394006467keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Vascular risk management through nurse-led self-management programs.In current clinical practice, adequate cardiovascular risk reduction is difficult to achieve. Treatment is primarily focused on clinical vascular disease and not on long-term risk reduction. Pertinent to success in vascular risk reduction are proper medication use, weight control, healthy food choices, smoking cessation, and physical exercise. Atherosclerotic vascular disease and its risk constitute a chronic condition, which poses specific requirements on affected patients and caregivers who should be aware of the chronicity. In patients with vascular disease, there is lack of awareness of their chronic condition because of the invisibility of most risk factors. In other patient groups with chronic illness, self-management programs were successful in achieving behavioral change. This strategy can also be useful for patients with vascular disease to adapt and adhere to an improved lifestyle. Self-management refers to the individual's ability to manage both physical and psychosocial consequences including lifestyle changes inherent to living with a chronic condition. Interventions that promote self-management are based on enhancing self-efficacy. In self-management, attention can be given to what is important and motivational to the individual patient. In this article the challenge of nursing care promoting self-management for patients with vascular risk and how this care can be applied will be explained. nurses can play a central role in vascular risk management with a self-management approach for patients with chronic vascular disease. In vascular prevention clinics, nursing care can be delivered that includes medical treatment of vascular risks (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperhomocystinemia) and counseling on promoting self-management (changes in diet, body weight, smoking habits, and level of exercise). Nursing interventions based on self-management promotion can provide a new and promising approach to actually achieve vascular risk reduction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |